Lenus Pennartz

Born Lenus Nicholas Pennartz on 13 May 1917 at Charleston, Arkansas.

Sergeant, Tech 5th Grade, U.S. Army, during World War II:

Inducted 10 March 1941 at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. Then assigned to the 206th Coast Artillery Regiment, and sent to the Anti-aircraft Artillery Training Center (AATC) at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.  Bivouaced in the Logan Heights Cantonment area which was located on a slope facing east from the Franklin Mountains at an elevation of about 3,750 feet above sea-level.

Deployed to Aluetian Islands, Alaska, in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of War.  

Boarded the United States Army Transport (USAT) ship "S.S. North Coast" on 26 February 1942 for the trip to Fort Mears at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Left the United States on 27 February 1942 from the Seattle Port of Embarkation.  During the rough crossing, waves often lifted the ship's propeller screw clear of the water, causing a tremendous vibration. The ship's seasick passengers gratefully went ashore at Dutch Harbor on 8 March 1942.

Stationed at Fort Glenn on Umnak Island, west of Dutch Harbor, Alaska.  The garrison on Umnak then had a strength of about 4,000, including engineering forces complemented by infantry, Field Artillery, and antiaircraft (AA) artillery.  Cape Field at Fort Glenn was constructed between January and April 1942.  The 206th Regiment participated in the Battle of Dutch Harbor Alaska, against two attacks by carrier based Japanese planes on 2-4 June 1942, sustaining 7 killed. 

Following the bombing at Dutch Harbor, Japanese Admiral Kakuta utilized his invasion force to occupy the Islands of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Island chain.  

The 206th took part in the occupation of Adak Island on 30 August 1942.

Planes from Adak bombed Kiska on 14 September 1942 

Attu Island was re-taken by U.S. and Canadian forces on 29 May 1943.

Promoted to Sergeant on 26 June 1943.  

Took part in the assault landing at Kiska Island on 15 August 1943.  

Left Dutch Harbor, Alaska on 28 February 1944 aboard the World War One blockade runner "SS Gargos."  During the journey to Seattle, the Gargos was shelled by a Japanese submarine.  The old vessel sustained minor damage to the portside and stack.

Arrived Puget Sound, Seattle, Washington on 7 March 1944.  Disembarked at Camp Murray located on Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Washington; and after a few days took a troop train back to Fort Bliss, Texas.

With the threat to the Aleutian Islands at an end, the regiment was re-deployed to Fort Bliss in March 1944, deactivated, and personnel reassigned. 

The 206th Headquarters Battery was disbanded on 31 March 1944, and his 2nd Battalion was re-designated the 597th Anti-aircraft Artillery (AA), Automatic Weapons (AW) Battalion.

Married 8 July 1944 to Genevieve Ann Scheuer at Charleston, Arkansas.

Awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze "Battle" Star Device for Aleutian Islands Campaign.

Honorably Discharged 13 December 1944 at William Beaumont Army Hospital on Fort Bliss.

Deceased 10 April 1951 at Fort Roots Army Hospital near North Little Rock, Arkansas.